Colombia – Luxury Travel to Peru, Galapagos & Bolivia

6 Must See Things to Do and Experience in Bogotá, Colombia

Molly Krifka — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 12:00:08 +0000

What are some of the top things to do in Bogotá, Colombia? And is it worth it to spend a couple days exploring the country’s capital during your trip to Colombia? It is definitely worth it! Bogotá offers some of the most fascinating museums in South America, one of the most breathtaking botanical gardens, and an entire cathedral built into an underground salt mine.

And these are just a handful of exciting sights in Bogotá because Colombian culture bursts at the seams here. Bogotá is the nation’s capital and an incredible convergence of Colombian people originally from the coast, mountains, and jungle. As a Bogotá tourist experiencing the vibrant sights, sounds, and flavors for the first time, it’s a good idea to have a bucket list on hand. The following six top places to visit in Bogotá should definitely make your list!

1. Get to know the famous Bogotá Museum Circuit

To visit every Bogotá museum (an incredible 63 in total), you would need a solid month in this lively city. So it goes without saying that for a few days’ stay, you could happily spend a full day museum hopping. The Bogotá Museum Circuit is what you make of it depending on your individual interests; therein lies the beauty! And the museums we highly recommend checking out are as follows.

The Museo del Oro (Gold Museum) houses the world’s most extensive collection of Pre-Colombian gold pieces. More than 33,000 intricately carved and preserved gold pieces line the walls of this extraordinary museum. History buffs should also check out the Museo Nacional de Colombia, which encapsulates elements from every period of Colombian history and cultural heritage. While art lovers shouldn’t miss the Mambo (Museum of Modern Art Bogotá) nor the Botero Museum, immortalizing the great works of masterful Colombian artist, Fernando Botero.

2. Wander la Quinta Camacho Neighborhood

CC: Carlos Niño Murcia https://carlosninomurcia.com/item-portafolio/patrimoniales-quinta-camacho/

La Quinta Camacho neighborhood remains one of the most vibrant places to visit in Bogotá. With historic early 20th century Tudor-style landmarks, bohemian cafés, cutting-edge art galleries, and small-town energy tucked away in the big city, Quinta Camacho enchants the most unsuspecting traveler.

If you are interested in getting to know the history and culture of Bogotá but are not necessarily a “big city person,” the boutique hotel Casa Legado in La Quinta Camacho would be an excellent choice of accommodation! Each of their thirteen rooms and three guest houses is unique and tells a different story from Colombia’s past, present, and future.

3. Indulge in a new twist on traditional Colombian flavors in Local by Rausch

Bogotá follows the culinary suit of most capital cities worldwide, so one of the best things you can do while there is to check out some incredible local restaurants. And trust us when we say that Local by Rausch will not disappoint in this arena.

Mark and Jorge Rausch, two brothers born in Bogotá, have studied and worked in some of the world’s premier culinary institutions. Jorge has even been awarded the best Colombian chef in 2010, 2011, 2015, and 2019 by La Barra. Mark is a master pastry chef and has been a guest chef on a few episodes of MasterChef. Together, they have founded countless culinary ventures; however, Local is a beautiful tribute to their home country and cuisine. Local by Rausch takes hyper-local Colombian dishes, like ajiaco or buñuelos, and keeps their essence while incorporating an exciting modern twist.

4. Take a Stroll through Bogotá’s Botanical Garden

Another Bogotá point of interest is the renowned Botanical Garden, very close to the Simón Bolivar Central Park. Its full name is the Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis. Here, you will find upwards of 19,000 different plants representing the vast range of Colombian ecosystems. Some specifically worth mentioning are the Colombian National flower, the Cattleya trianae orchid, and the National tree, the Andean Palm.

You can either explore the park on your own or with a guide; however, we recommend setting up a guided tour ahead of time because most guides who work directly in the garden only speak Spanish.

5. Embark on a day trip to Guatavita Lagoon

CC: Gabriel Levy unsplash

Wondering what to do in Bogotá for one day? Consider taking a day trip to Guatavita Lagoon and the famed Salt Cathedral (more detailed info below). Typically for this one-day escape from the city, you will visit the Salt Cathedral first and then the lagoon called Guatavita in the afternoon. A few hours outside of Bogotá city, the legend of “El Dorado” comes to life in the aquamarine or deep green waters (the color changes depending on the season) Guatavita Lagoon.

This lagoon held a very sacred place to people of the Muisca culture before the Spanish conquest, and the Muisca used gold objects to maintain a symbolic connection to the spirit world. As Spaniards began their conquest and started to smuggle these golden objects for their material value, the myth of “El Dorado,” a city filled with hidden gold, began to take shape. One chronicler, Juan Rodriguez Freyle, wrote of a particular Muisca ritual, in which a spiritual leader would dress head to toe in gold and row to the middle of the lake to sacrifice even more golden objects and precious gemstones.

6. Step through the hallowed halls of Bogotá’s renowned Salt Cathedral

Finally, Bogotá is known for its remarkable Salt Cathedral – a full Roman Catholic-style monument built 600 feet underground in a retired salt mine, in the small mountain town of Zipaquirá. A mere 48 kilometers from the city center, the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral is considered an international architectural treasure and “First Wonder” of Colombia.

When the mine was still operational (from pre-Spanish conquest to early-1900s), miners actually built a modest sanctuary to safeguard their health from the mine’s toxic fumes and extremely hazardous environment. The Colombian government officially honored these miners by converting this humble sanctuary into a full-fledged church in 1953, which closed due to structural issues in 1990.

Shortly thereafter, Colombian engineer Jorge Castelblanco, along with 127 miners, created a masterful and structurally sound cathedral to pay homage to those early miners, many of whom sacrificed their lives and health to keep food on their tables and bring salt to many corners of South America; this salt even had a hand in financing Simón Bolívar’s revolution.

Witness the best of Bogotá for yourself, starting with these sites, for an exciting journey through Colombian history and culture at its finest. If you’re interested in building your ideal itinerary through Colombia, contact us today to get the planning started!

Sun, Sand, and Surf in the Gateway to South America: Four Must-See Colombian Beach Hubs

Molly Krifka — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 09:35:36 +0000

Colombia’s coastline is a beach lover’s playground. Its 1,800-mile (2,900-km) coast splits almost evenly along Panama’s border, hence Colombia’s nickname “The Gateway to South America.” The northern Colombian coast meets the Caribbean Sea’s lively waters, while the southern coast runs along the wild Pacific Ocean. And this unique feature of joining two distinct seas into the same coastline makes Colombia one of the most diverse countries on earth.

Visitors looking to spend some quality time sand-dusted, sun-kissed, and ocean-sprayed have their pick of excellent beaches. Let’s explore five of Colombia’s most exciting beach regions, from a vibrant Caribbean city to a coveted National Park, a surfer’s paradise, and a desolate coastal desert!

Cartagena City

Cartagena, Colombia, known as its “Jewel of the Caribbean,” has quickly become one of the country’s premier tourist hotspots, and with good reason. Including the lingering presence of pirates, a real-life walled fortress, and charming architecture, this city is anything but your ordinary beach town; however, its beaches will also surely take your breath away.

Considering the robust list of beaches in the Cartagena city limits and just outside, it’s hard to know where to spend your precious time. You have beaches like Punta Arena and Tierra Bomba about 10-15 minutes from Cartagena’s mainland by boat. These are great options if you want to escape the city bustle for the day. If you prefer to stay close to the mainland but still escape the tourist crowds, consider La Boquilla – a local favorite just a few kilometers east of the Old Town. The one beach tourists and locals can agree on is Playa Blanca, about an hour’s drive from the city and one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful in the entire region.

Tayrona National Park

Following the Caribbean coastline further north, and you arrive in the spectacular Tayrona National Park. The park borders the edge of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range – aka the highest coastal mountain range in the world! Here sky-high palms line the beach edge alongside the Caribbean’s aquamarine glimmer and to the backdrop of lush jungle.

Some individual beaches worth making time for are the famous Cabo San Juan and La Piscina and the more tranquil Cañaveral and Playa Cristal beaches.

Nuquí

Surfers looking for the best waves on Colombia’s Pacific Coast flock to Nuquí; you can easily get there via a quick plane ride from Medellín! Unofficially known as a home base for surfers, due to its plethora of beaches for all levels, Nuquí also maintains its small-town charm. There are plenty of other reasons why the beaches of Nuquí are worth a visit. Nuquí is an excellent spot for the whole family! You can go whale watching, fishing, scuba diving, and bird watching in the incredibly biodiverse tropical rainforest.

La Guajira

Much like Peru’s coastal desert, La Guajira along the Caribbean Colombian coast boasts impressive sand dunes and an ethereal beauty all its own. One of the most popular beaches in La Guajira is Taroa Beach due to its towering dunes crashing into the Caribbean. Cabo de la Vela Beach offers the best swimming and kitesurfing spot due to the remarkably calm and warm water. Whereas Punta Agujas Beach in the northern tip of Guajira provides the best sunsets.

With these and countless more, Colombia offers an out-of-the-box beach holiday. The diverse microcosms of ocean life and geographic features allow you to immerse yourself in the true majesty of land meeting sea. Contact us for more information on maximizing your time in Colombia and including the beach hub that suits your travel style.

5 Top places to visit in Colombia

Molly Krifka — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 20:04:13 +0000

What should I visit in Colmbia? But isn’t it fairly dangerous? Not anymore!

As a tourist destination, Colombia brings so much to the table for practically every type of traveler and has come such a long way since its dark drug war past of the eighties and nineties. With Escobar and his associates another ghost in Colombia’s collective memory, a trip to the “Gateway of South America” is now in order. Let the following interest-based guide spark some excitement about this country now on the cutting edge of tourism.

1. For the Adventurer and Nature Enthusiast: The Lost City

outConstructed in about 800 A.D., Colombia’s Ciudad Perdida (Lost City), predates one of the most renowned ancient citadels, Machu Picchu. The city’s true name is Teyuna, given by the Tairona people. However, it was renamed “The Lost City” when looters pillaged the area in 1972. The settlement comprises a collection of miraculous plateaus and meticulous stonework shooting out from the dense jungle and mountain terrain of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountain range. Sitting at 5,000 feet above sea level, The Lost City is something to behold.

Unlike the road to Machu Picchu, which you can either hike or traverse by train and bus, the Lost City only offers one form of arrival: trekking 46 kilometers round-trip! This journey isn’t for the faint of heart, and you must be in top physical condition to take it on; however, it is the adventurer’s dream trail.

2. For the Coffee Lover: Salento and Cocora Valley

Although Colombia is internationally known for its quality coffee, you won’t be able to find their freshest coffee just anywhere in the country, because so much is exported. Therefore, if you are anxious to try some of the best Colombian coffee while physically in Colombia, you will want to head down to the Coffee Triangle.

The departments of Caldas, Risaralda, and Quindio make up the Coffee Triangle. Within the department of Quindio, you will find the lovely little town of Salento. With its quirky and colorful architecture, hip restaurants, and coffee tours abound, you will be able to instantly dive into Colombian coffee culture. You can also make the quick day trip to Cocora Valley known for its surreal 200-foot tall wax palms.

3. For the History Buff: Bogotá

As Colombia’s capital and gateway city to the rest of the country, you will most likely fly in and out of Bogotá on your international flight. Do consider staying a few days on the front or tail end of your trip to dive into the heart of Colombian history and culture.

In Bogotá’s historic center, La Candelaria is where you will find an impressive collection of museums and quaint cobblestone streets and government buildings. Some noteworthy museums are the Museo del Oro, the Botero Museum, the National Museum, and La Casa de la Moneda. If you are more anxious to glimpse Colombia’s living culture, head to La Quinta Camacho neighborhood. La Quinta Camacho is full of Victorian-style homes converted into chic boutiques, microbreweries, and restaurants.

4. For the Avid Beach Goer and Foodie: Cartagena

Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in all of the Americas, and in the heart of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Considering Cartagena was also a crucial trade city during Spanish rule, you will find pristine examples of colonial architecture sprinkled through the now modern-day city. In part, this is why Cartagena was named as a UNESCO world heritage site, with impressive monuments such as the magnificent fort of Castillo San Felipe de Barajas.

Some of Colombia’s most breathtaking beaches and best restaurants also happen to be in Cartagena. Make sure to make the trip to the Rosario Islands and Playa Blanca for some fun in the sun and sand. For foodies traveling in Cartagena, you will find everything from fine dining to authentic fare to innovative fusion. Make sure to check out Marea by Rausch, La Cevichería, and La Mulata for a taste of all three!

5. For the Artist and the Innovator: Medellín

Instead of treating their violent past as a skeleton in their closet, Medellín officials have done a fantastic job incorporating transparency into their reconstruction and eventual tourism pitch. In fully acknowledging Medellín’s violent past, they were able to move on and move forward into a bright future, and now exciting present. Medellín was even dubbed “Innovative City of the Year” by Wall Street Journal, Citi, and the Urban Land Institute.

Wandering Medellín, promises glimpses of Colombia’s entrepreneurial spirit and artistic energy pulsing in the emblematic statues of Fernando Botero and futuristic installation of Parque de las Luces. In addition to all the vibrant sights and sounds of the city itself, you can also take the easy day-trip to Guatapé. Guatapé is a teeny town about two hours outside of Medellín, most known for a 740-step staircase built into a giant rock face called El Peñol. Climb to the top for the most spectacular vista of Guatapé Lake’s translucent teal water below.

Don’t let the old ghosts of the Medellín and Cali cartels dissuade you from the trip of a lifetime in Colombia’s multifaceted cultural and natural landscapes!